Mask brace and mask assembly

ABSTRACT

A patient mask assembly for positive pressure ventilation includes a brace ( 12 ) which clips to the mask and provides attachment locations ( 17 ) for headgear straps ( 14 ) in alternative positions to those attachment locations ( 17 ) which may be provided by the mask. The brace may also provide a mask stabilizing portion ( 20 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the configuration, fitting and operation of amask suitable for the delivery of non-invasive positive pressureventilation and for nasal CPAP treatment of sleep disordered breathingconditions such as obstructive sleep apnea.

2. Description of Related Art

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a disease characterized by excessivedaytime sleepiness, loud snoring and daytime irritability. Other effectsof OSA can include depression, high blood pressure, serious heartconditions, sexual problems, memory lapses, intellectual deteriorationand morning headaches. The treatment of OSA by the application of nasalContinuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) was invented by Sullivan and isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,310 (Sullivan, assignee ResMedLimited). The technique involves the application of a flow ofpressurized breathable gas (typically room air) to either the nose ornose and mouth of a patient while they sleep. This technique is said to“splint” open the airways. Typical treatment pressures are in the rangeof 3 to 20 cm H₂O. Flows are up to approximately 200 L/min. Usually theflow of pressurized air is produced by a blower and delivered to thepatient via a patient interface. The source of the air flow and patientinterface are joined by a conduit Whilst there are other techniques forthe treatment of OSA such as surgery, the use of CPAP has become the“gold” standard. For a particular patient the pressure which is neededto maintain open airways can vary throughout the night and vary ondifferent nights. U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,995 (Sullivan and Lynch, assigneeResMed Limited) describes a method and device for varying the pressurein accordance with indications. For example, if the patient starts tosnore, the pressure automatically increases, whilst in the absence ofsnoring the pressure automatically decreases.

Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) is another form oftreatment for breathing disorders. In its most basic form it involves arelatively higher pressure of gas being provided in the patient maskduring the inspiratory phase of respiration and a relatively lowerpressure or atmospheric pressure being provided in the patient maskduring the expiratory phase of respiration. Typical treatment pressuresare in the range of 3 to 30 cm H₂O.

In other NIPPV modes the pressure can be made to vary in a complexmanner throughout the respiratory cycle. For example, the pressure atthe mask during inspiration or expiration can be varied through theperiod of treatment, as disclosed in international PCT patentapplications PCT/AU97/00631 (Berthon-Jones, assignee ResMed Limited) andPCT/AU99/00386 (Berthon-Jones, assignee ResMed Limited).

In this specification, any reference to CPAP treatment is to beunderstood as embracing all of the above-described forms of ventilatorytreatment or assistance.

One of the earliest patient interfaces for providing CPAP treatment wasconstructed to include a fiberglass model of the patient's nose. Themodel was adhered to the patient's nose each night and removed eachmorning. An advantage of this patient interface included the customizedfit which assisted in achieving a good seal between the patientinterface and the patient's airways. However the use of adhesive tosecure the mask was inconvenient and not desirable.

Another suitable patient interface is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,243,971 (Sullivan and Bruderer, assignee University of Sydney)entitled “Nasal Mask for CPAP having Ballooning/Moulding Seal withWearer's Nose and Facial Contours”. This patent describes a nasal maskwith a soft face-contacting portion and a rigid shell. The mask is heldin position using headgear. The headgear is attached to the mask shelland passes around the back of the wearer's head. The patent depicts twosets of straps in the headgear. The first set comprised a pair of strapspassing from the forehead region to the back of the head. The second setcomprised a pair of straps passing from the nasal region of the mask tothe back of the head.

Another known patient interface is the MIRAGE® nasal mask (by ResMedLimited). This nasal mask includes a pair of headgear attachment pointsin the nasal region of the mask shell and a forehead support whichincludes another pair of headgear attachment points. The foreheadsupport to this mask is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,693 (Kwok,Matchett & Grant, assignee ResMed Limited). The headgear comprises asingle piece of a soft, flexible composite fabric with a generallytriangular back portion and four straps. The four straps comprise a pairof upper straps and a pair of lower straps connecting to the headgearattachment points on the forehead support and nasal mask shellrespectively. At the end of each strap is secured a piece of hook andloop fastening material such as Velcro™ which, in use, passes through aheadgear attachment point and fastens on corresponding loop material onthe strap. The generally triangular back portion engages the skull inthe region of the occiput. The fabric stretches under a load. The baseof the triangle is positioned near and generally in line with the upperstraps.

Some patients open their mouths during sleep which means that they maynot receive the benefit of nasal CPAP due to mouth leaks. Varioussolutions have been proposed for this problem. One solution is taught inU.S. Pat. No. 6,123,082 (Berthon-Jones, assignee ResMed Limited),whereby the lips are held closed. Another solution is to use a maskwhich covers both the nose and mouth of the patient. An example of amouth and nasal mask is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,354(Berthon-Jones, Calluaud, Lynch & Hely, assignee ResMed Limited).

Another suitable mask system is the MIRAGE® full face mask (by assigneeResMed Limited). The MIRAGE® full face mask and headgear is illustratedin FIG. 1 . Suitable headgear for this mask is constructed from acomposite material of nylon, neoprene and hook and loop material. Theheadgear similarly comprises a pair of upper and a pair of lower strapsand a generally triangular back portion. The upper strap has a totallength of approximately 610 mm, The straps have an approximate width. of25 mm, however the upper strap has an approximate width of 19 mm. Thetriangular region has a base of approximately 15.5 cm and two equalsides of approximately 11 cm. The upper and lower straps areapproximately 192 mm apart. In addition, the headgear includes a quickrelease mechanism as described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,238 (Lithgow,assignee ResMed Limited). The quick release mechanism provides a “ripcord” which can be pulled upon to separate the headgear and hence removethe mask in an emergency. When the headgear is positioned on thepatient's head, the quick-release mechanism is situated at the back ofthe head and the cord runs through loops towards the front of the masksystem.

Patient interface arrangements include nasal masks, nose and mouthmasks, nasal prongs and nasal pillows. In all forms of patient interfaceused with CPAP for treating sleep disordered breathing, there is a needto counterbalance the force of the pressurized air and to correctlyposition the interface. Since the patient must sleep with thisinterface, it is important that it be comfortable. From themanufacturing and distribution channel perspectives, it is advantageousif one size of headgear fits a large range of head shapes and sizes.

Other examples of prior art headgear and mask shells have configurationswhich are different to those depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,971 andused in the MIRAGE® nasal mask and MIRAGE® full-face mask in so far asthey incorporate a different number of headgear straps or differ in theplacement of the head strap attachment points or both. This variety ofmask configurations is required to address the biological variabilityexisting between users, each user having a unique facial and head shape.However no one mask system involving headgear and fixed point strapattachment points offers continuous variability in placement. As aresult, when selecting from a range of mass produced mask and headgearsystems, in the majority of cases the selection will represent acompromise for the user where a balance must be struck between comfortand the achievement of a secure fit and good seal between the mask andthe user.

An approach to headgear attachment which allows for great variability inhead strap number and attachment position to the mask would yield greatbenefits to the user in terms of comfort and function, to the masksystem manufacturer in terms of facilitating the opportunity to easilyexperiment with different mask positions and headgear configurationswhile moving towards the desirable objective of rationalisingmanufacturer and supplier inventory.

It should be noted that while there are many mask and headgeararrangements available for ventilators, respirators, aviator masks andother breathing apparatus, generally these may not be suitable for usein the treatment of sleep disordered breathing because they are notsufficiently comfortable to allow the patient to sleep.

The present invention is directed towards providing a method ofconfiguring a mask and a mask for use in the treatment of sleepdisordered breathing which improves patient comfort, is long lasting andfits a wide range of head shapes and sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improvement to the method andapparatus for the positioning and attachment of headgear to a patientinterface such as a mask.

The invention includes the incorporation of a brace into the mask whichis independent of the mask shell, said brace being adapted in use to beheld in a substantially fixed position relative to the mask shell and toaccommodate the attachment of at least part of the headgear.

The present invention enables the attachment points for headgear to bedetermined and varied in a physical or temporal sense independently ofthe mask shell configuration.

The invention broadly resides in a brace for a patient airway interface,the brace being shaped so as to be retainingly engageable with theinterface and providing at least one formation for engagement with aheadgear member.

Preferably the brace includes an elongate member shaped so as to beengageable by formations on said interface.

The invention also broadly resides in a brace for a patient airwayinterface, the brace being shaped so as to be retainingly engageablewith the interface, the brace further including a formation disposed forengagement with the patient's forehead.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a prior art full-face mask system located on a user's face.

FIG. 2 shows a mask system incorporating a brace according to thepresent invention located on a user's face.

FIG. 3 shows a. brace according to the present invention located on amask shell.

FIG. 4 shows another view of the brace and mask of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 shows a brace according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 2 shows a mask system 10 incorporating the present inventionconsisting of a brace 12, mask shell 13, headgear straps 14, brace headstrap attachment points 15, mask cushion 16 and mask shell headgearattachment points 17.

It will be immediately apparent that the headgear attachment points 17of the mask shell are superfluous in this embodiment of the presentinvention so far as concerns their original intended role as attachmentpoints for the headgear. This is because the headgear attachment pointsof the brace serve the requisite purpose independently of any attachmentpoint of the mask shell. Nevertheless because it is intended that thebrace assume a fixed predetermined position with respect to the maskshell, existing mask shell headgear attachment points 17 can serve asretaining formations for the brace.

While the brace depicted in FIG. 2 has provision for attaching fiveheadgear straps, the brace may be configured so as to receive anysuitable number. The present invention envisages the brace assuming asubstantially constant position relative to the mask shell when the maskassembly is properly located on the user. It may be configured toreceive at least as many headgear straps as are required for aparticular headgear configuration or alternatively may have less than ormore headgear attachment points with respect to any particular headgearconfiguration.

The versatility of the present invention will be immediately apparent tothose skilled in the art in that for any given mask shell, it ispossible to configure a brace so as to receive the requisite number ofheadgear straps and to locate the brace headgear attachment points insuch locations as to allow a user to choose between a variety ofheadgear configurations. This versatility allows the user to optimisetheir choice of headgear as the particular requirements may dictate soas to achieve the requisite mask seal and comfort.

A user may be supplied with a number of braces each with a differentnumber of headgear attachment points or at least having a set number ofheadgear attachment points positioned in a variety of configurationswith respect to the mask shell in order that a suitable choice may bemade.

In an embodiment of the invention, the brace is designed so as toachieve a “clip fit” on an existing mask frame as previously described.

FIG. 3 illustrates a clip fit arrangement in which a brace 12 is fittedbetween the existing mask frame headgear attachment points 17 and themask shell outer surface, in this case the peripheral flange portion 18.Where headgear strap attachment points 17 are provided for on the maskshell they may be used in conjunction with some or all of the headgearstrap attachment points 15 of the brace 12 thereby providing furtherflexibility in the configuration.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not illustrated) suitableengagement points may be created within the mask shell so as to receivethe brace, such attachment points being designed so as not to besuitable for attaching headgear straps.

Because of the versatility offered by the brace of the presentinvention, it also offers the possibility for incorporating a maskstabilising feature independent of or in addition to the inclusion ofthe headgear attachment points. An example of such a stabilizing featureis illustrated in the accompanying drawings in the form of a foreheadstabilising section 20. The stabilizing portion 20 takes the form of aportion of the brace extending clear of the mask shell so as to providean elevated engagement point and/or to contact a portion of the user'sface, in this case the forehead. The malleability of the wire used toform the brace allows the position of the stabilizing portion to beadjusted for individual patients. In FIG. 2 it can be seen that theforehead stabilising portion 20 is in near contact or contact with theuser's forehead thereby limiting movement of the accompanying mask frameand mask cushion towards to the user's face in the region of the nasalbridge. This stabilising feature is achieved due to the relatively rigidengagement of the brace in relation to the mask shell.

FIG. 5 shows schematically a version of a brace according to the presentinvention suitable for use with a MIRAGE® full-face mask system by thepresent applicant. The brace is constructed of 2.5 mm gauge mild steelwire butt-welded so as to assume a continuous form. The wire is bent tothe appropriate configuration using standard wire bending techniqueswhich may include automated bending by way of a suitably programmed NCwire bending machine.

Preferably the resulting brace is powder coated so as to provide for acorrosive resistant and easily cleaned surface.

Mask shells are typically molded from polycarbonate or similar material.Such a construction technique requires a relatively expensive moldingtool. This means that it is expensive for the manufacturer to change thelocation of the headgear attachment points if they are molded into themask shell. In contrast it is relatively cheap to configure andmanufacture a brace according to the present invention.

The brace is easily hand fitted to the mask frame and clip set in placeas previously described. This manoeuvre being easily achieved by hand,in view of the inherent malleability of the brace material. It is clearthat an alternative embodiment could be configured so as to adapt thebrace to be received by brace receiving features in a mask frame.

It is also intended that the brace could be configured so as to engagebrace receiving features that may be provided by a mask cushion clip 21.In this way the brace may be accurately and securely positioned relativeto the mask frame while serving to secure the cushion clip and cushionto the mask frame. The brace engaging feature may be located on thebrace with a reciprocal feature on the mask shell or alternatively maybe a separate component that engages the brace and the mask shell. Thebrace receiving features may either extend around the outercircumference of the mask frame surrounding and securing the maskcushion or may pass through apertures provided for in the mask frame.

The method and mask assembly of the present invention provide furtheradvantages such as allowing for the inclusion of other accessories thatwould be of benefit to the user, such as provision for holding orattaching a gastro-nasal tube or a sensor for measuring physiologicalparameters of the user, attaching a tube for the provision of asupplemental gas or pharmaceuticals, or attachment of other accessoriessuch as a device for preventing or inducing the passage of air throughthe mouth such as is described and depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,082(Berthon-Jones, assignee ResMed Limited).

Other benefits of the invention include the ability to disassemble theheadgear from the mask while the headgear is engaged with the bracewithout affecting strap length adjustment in order that the mask shelland cushion may be washed. The benefit of this is that the brace andheadgear assembly may be re-attached to the mask frame without requiringthe re-adjusting of the strap length.

This is because once the brace is located in the predetermined positionrelative to the mask frame, the head strap position relative to the maskframe will resume the position it was in at the time that the brace wasremoved from the mask shell.

By making the mask brace of a malleable material, such as is describedabove in relation to the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciatedthat a user can make some adjustment to the position of the headgearretaining portion or the mask stabilising feature or both so as to meetparticular needs. This opportunity to make such adjustments allows forrapid tailoring of the mask assembly to a user's particularrequirements.

While the preferred embodiment includes description of a mask bracehaving a clip fit to the mask shell, it is envisaged that the bracemight be attached to the mask shell by other means such as a hook andloop system like Velcro™ or other suitable means. Preferably theattachment means achieves a consistent support of the brace relative tothe mask frame while located but also allowing for a relatively easydisassembly of the two components in order to facilitate the achievementof other benefits that come with the present invention.

The present invention is particularly suitable for accommodatingasymmetrical mask configurations as may be required by users such asthose with facial palsy. For example, the present invention allows forthe individual configuration of asymmetrical head strap attachmentpoints and use of asymmetrical mask cushions with standard mask frames.

1. A patient airway interface assembly, comprising: a mask shellconfigured to cover at least the patient's nose, the mask shellincluding a first set of headgear connection points; a cushion attachedto the mask shell and configured to sealingly engage the patient's face;and a brace comprising an elongate member configured to engage the maskshell at a fixed predetermined position with respect to the mask shell,wherein the brace is shaped so as to be retainingly engageable with anddetachable from the mask shell and includes a second set of headgearconnection points, the elongate member being shaped so as to beengageable by formations on the mask shell, wherein the elongate memberis configured to extend around the entire perimeter of the mask shell.2. A patient airway interface assembly according to claim 1, wherein themask shell is configured to cover the patient's nose and mouth and atleast a portion of the brace is configured to extend under the patient'schin.
 3. A patient airway interface assembly according to claim 1,wherein the elongate member comprises a continuous form.
 4. A patientairway interface assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elongatemember comprises a wire.
 5. A patient airway interface assemblyaccording to claim 4, wherein the wire is formed of metal.
 6. A patientairway interface assembly according to claim 5, wherein the wirecomprises a mild steel wire.
 7. A patient airway interface assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the brace is rigidly engaged with the maskshell.
 8. A patient airway interface assembly according to claim 1,wherein the elongate member is continuously deformable by hand.
 9. Apatient airway interface assembly according to claim 1, wherein theelongate member is malleable.
 10. A patient airway interface assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the formations on the mask shell comprisethe first set of headgear connection points.
 11. A patient airwayinterface assembly according to claim 10, wherein the formations on themask shell further comprise a peripheral flange of the mask shell.
 12. Apatient airway interface assembly according to claim 10, wherein theformations on the mask shell further comprise a cushion clip that isconfigured to secure the cushion to the mask shell.
 13. A patient airwayinterface assembly according to claim 12, wherein the brace engages themask shell and the cushion clip to secure the cushion clip to the maskshell.
 14. A patient airway interface assembly according to claim 1,wherein the elongate member includes a portion disposed, in use, in theregion of the patient's forehead.
 15. A patient airway interfaceassembly according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the secondheadgear connection points is located in the portion disposed in theregion of the patient's forehead.
 16. A patient airway interfaceassembly according to claim 1, wherein the first set of headgearconnection points provide a different headgear alignment from thatprovided by the second set of headgear connection points.
 17. A patientairway interface assembly, comprising: a rigid shell configured to coverthe nose and the mouth of the patient, the shell comprising a first sideconfigured to face the patient in use and a second side opposite thefirst side, the first side comprising a peripheral flange extendingaround a perimeter of the shell, the second side comprising two headgearstrap attachment formations configured to attach straps of a headgear tothe second side of the shell, the two headgear strap attachmentformations being provided on opposite sides of a central axis of theshell and integrally formed with the shell, the shell further comprisingan aperture provided between the two headgear strap attachmentformations and configured to receive an elbow; a cushion attached to theperipheral flange, the cushion being configured to form a seal with thepatient's face in use; an elongate, continuous member extending aroundthe perimeter of the shell, the elongate, continuous member beingrigidly engaged with the mask shell between the peripheral flange andthe two headgear strap attachment formations and assuming asubstantially constant position relative to the mask shell, wherein theelongate, continuous member is shaped so as to be retainingly engageablewith and detachable from the mask shell.
 18. A patient airway interfaceassembly according to claim 17, wherein the elongate, continuous memberis malleable.
 19. A patient airway interface assembly according to claim17, wherein the elongate, continuous member is removably detachable fromthe shell.
 20. A patient airway interface assembly according to claim17, further comprising a cushion clip configured to secure the cushionto the shell.
 21. A patient airway interface assembly according to claim20, wherein the elongate, continuous member engages the shell and thecushion clip to secure the cushion clip to the shell.
 22. A patientairway interface assembly according to claim 17, wherein the elongate,continuous member includes a portion disposed, in use, in the region ofthe patient's forehead.
 23. A patient airway interface assemblyaccording to claim 22, wherein the portion disposed in the region of thepatient's forehead comprises at least one headgear strap attachmentformation.
 24. A patient airway interface assembly according to claim17, wherein the elongate, continuous member is continuously deformableby hand.
 25. A patient airway interface assembly according to claim 17,wherein the elongate, continuous member comprises at least two headgearstrap attachment formations that provide a different headgear alignmentfrom that provided by the two headgear strap attachment formations ofthe shell.